The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2016
As a decision-making problem, selecting proper machines and equipment plays a key role for mining... more As a decision-making problem, selecting proper machines and equipment plays a key role for mining sites and companies. Many factors affect this decision, and values belonging to these factors can be expressed numerically and/or non-numerically. In order to make the most appropriate decision, engineers must carry out an evaluation process that comprises all criteria that might affect decision-making. To achieve this, multi-criteria decision-making tools are used. As a result of technological developments, coal outputs in longwall mining have risen tremendously over the last decades, and longwall mechanisation has become unavoidable. The significance of powered roof supports in particular increases dayby-day, since the rate of roof support has to be in accordance with the rate of face advance in longwalls.
One of the key challenges engineering managers face is how to enhance the level of performance of... more One of the key challenges engineering managers face is how to enhance the level of performance of their employees. Existing guidelines and tools regarding the implementation of an incentive plan do not cover the primary design considerations sufficiently. This research identifies thirteen primary incentive plan design considerations (PICs), the most important considerations that must be taken into account in the design or development of an incentive plan, through a systematic and structured identification process. The thirteen PICs are a unique amalgamation from influential research papers that deal with incentives and motivation from various disciplines. These considerations can be used by engineering managers, in conjunction with existing guides or toolkits, as an aid during the design, review, or implementation of an incentive plan.
Abstract The increasing amount of production resources to be maintained and efficiency requiremen... more Abstract The increasing amount of production resources to be maintained and efficiency requirements are forcing manufacturing companies to improve production and maintenance effectiveness by a mutual consideration of both functions in an integrated planning process. However, less attention is paid to monitor the performance of manufacturing systems based on key performance indicators to identify the need for measures and adapting plans. Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) are applied to accomplish this task. Therefore, this paper presents an evaluation of existing PMS’s for production and maintenance planning. A new PMS that considers strategic and operational views is presented and validated by an industrial case study.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2022
Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increas... more Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increase operational costs. Leaks, wastages, and misuse are common inefficiencies that necessitate an oversupply of compressed air. It is therefore important to identify where the opportunities for improvement are located. Underground mining equipment can be used to develop a zero-waste compressed air demand profile. This profile can then be simulated for the entire operation to determine a theoretical baseline. Noticeable inefficiencies are then identified by comparing the actual data with the zero-waste baselines. The results of this study showed that the surface operations oversupply compressed air by 15% (10 kg/s of air) per day. This requires an additional 80 MWh of electricity (14.5% of the total) and costs approximately R91 000 per day. The comparison with the zero-waste baselines showed that 7.9 kg/s of air is wasted at the underground levels during drilling periods, highlighting the areas that require mitigation projects to improve the performance while decreasing costs and wastages.
South African journal of higher education, Oct 1, 2021
Like all organisations globally, South African universities were caught off-guard by the impact o... more Like all organisations globally, South African universities were caught off-guard by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To manage its financial and contractual/legal risks when faced with a threat such as a pandemic, an organisation needs integrated insight through the use of available information to assess possible disruptions and to be able to respond appropriately. This study analyses the status of South African universities in respect of their research and innovation offerings, and in particular the nature of their research contracts and their ability to respond to a threat such as COVID-19. Interviews were conducted with senior managers in seven South African universities. Some of the themes that emerged from these interviews were analysed using extracts from the financial management maturity model (FMMM) (Comptroller and Auditor General 2018). It was reassuring to find that the contractual risks can mostly be mitigated. However, the lack of strategic information and lower financial management maturity levels made it difficult for most universities to assess the financial impact of this pandemic and to respond appropriately.
International journal of game-based learning, Dec 22, 2021
Dynamic personalization of learning trajectories that integrate different perspectives and variab... more Dynamic personalization of learning trajectories that integrate different perspectives and variable scenarios is a viable way to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of training and education. Serious games offer a designated platform for this by aggregating learner interactions and using these to dynamically configure, adjust, and tailor the game to individuals and contexts. An architecture is presented to support the creation of serious games for specific scenarios in a faster, more effective, and efficient manner. Following a research-by-design approach, the architecture is simultaneously developed and applied in case studies, with the experiences infused as enhancements for subsequent design iterations.
Healthcare innovation has made progressive strides. Innovative solutions now tend to incorporate ... more Healthcare innovation has made progressive strides. Innovative solutions now tend to incorporate device integration, data collection and data analysis linked across a diverse range of actors building platform-centric healthcare ecosystems. The interconnectedness and inter-disciplinarity of the ecosystems bring with it a number of vital issues around how to strategically manage such a complex system. This paper highlights the importance of innovation intermediaries particularly in a platform-centric ecosystem such as the healthcare industry. It serves as a reminder of why it is important for healthcare technologists to consider proactive ways to contribute to the innovation ecosystem by creating devices with the platform perspective in mind.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, Nov 1, 2016
This paper produces a preliminary version of a strategic framework for managing employee flourish... more This paper produces a preliminary version of a strategic framework for managing employee flourishing. 'Flourishing', a term from positive psychology, describes the experience of 'the good life'. Providing this experience benefits employees. It also motivates them to sustain the enterprise that provides it. This positions employee flourishing as a strategy for long-term enterprise performance, a key concern of industrial engineering. The framework incorporates a systems approach and literature from a variety of bodies of knowledge, including organisational behaviour and human resource management. The framework includes a process, tools, and elements that assist enterprises to manage employee flourishing. OPSOMMING Hierdie artikel skep 'n voorlopige weergawe van 'n strategiese raamwerk vir die bestuur van werknemerflorering. Florering (Eng. 'flourishing'), is 'n begrip uit die positiewe sielkunde wat ervaring van 'die goeie lewe' omskryf. Florering in die werksplek is tot voordeel van beide werknemers en werkgewers. Werknemers word gemotiveer om die onderneming te onderhou en uit te bou. Op hierdie manier is 'werknemerflorering' 'n strategie vir die onderneming se langtermyn prestasie, ʼn sleutel aspek vir bedryfsingenieurwese. Die raamwerk omvat 'n stelselbenadering en inkorporeer literatuur uit verskeie kennisgebiede, insluitende organisatoriese gedrag, en menslike hulpbronbestuur. 'n Proses word daar gestel wat ondernemings van die nodige toerusting en kennis vir die bestuur van werknemerflorering te voorsien..
Manufacturing companies must operate in a dynamic environment. Consequently, companies constantly... more Manufacturing companies must operate in a dynamic environment. Consequently, companies constantly have to adapt their manufacturing systems to stay competitive. One approach to ensure the success of manufacturing companies is to use reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS). Current production planning methods cannot quickly realize the production-side adaptions available in RMS and are limited in flexibility. A novel production planning method to optimize the potential of RMS is presented in this paper. First, the key characteristics and planning requirements for an RMS are defined. A feasible configuration is then determined, using a planning method based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP) to realize capacity scalability and functionality changes within planning processes. Finally, an application scenario to validate the method is outlined.
The aim of this chapter is to illustrate how intellectual capital (IC) may be visualised and moni... more The aim of this chapter is to illustrate how intellectual capital (IC) may be visualised and monitored in the university context, using the technology transfer office (TTO) as a unit of observation. The TTO is responsible, in many cases, for supporting academic entrepreneurship. Research has shown that access to IC influences the efficiency of the TTO in performing its functions. Moving from this, the perceived access a TTO has to university IC can be measured across the tripartite classification of IC: human capital (5 indicators), structural capital (13 indicators) and relational capital (6 indicators). These data are then used to create a visual representation of the access that each TTO perceives to have to university IC and to compare it to their overall efficiency. The visual representation allows management at both university and TTO level, to have a clearer understanding of the performance of the TTO and how IC may be leveraged to improve it. These interventions will improve the performance of the TTO and increase success for academic entrepreneurship. This in turn, will aid the university in its pursuit of entrepreneurialism, competitiveness and sustainability.
This article outlines the research and development of a blockchain assessment framework which ena... more This article outlines the research and development of a blockchain assessment framework which enables the assessment of the technical suitability, high-level design, adoption approach, economic feasibility, and business value potential of a blockchain solution with a particular organization for a specific process. The framework is a comprehensive, high-level, and generic assessment approach that enables better decision-making regarding blockchain exploration. Blockchain is a novel technology with the potential to disrupt several industries through its possession of many desirable functional characteristics, including, but not limited to, immutability, transparency, decentralization, and secure. Cryptocurrencies and these desirable characteristics have created hype around blockchain, consequently leading to blockchain projects with minimal understanding of what the technology is capable of and beneficial for, resulting in excessively high failure rates. Attempts have been made by researchers to reduce these high failure rates by creating a better understanding of blockchain, as well as creating assessment approaches. However, these approaches tend to apply to specific narrow use cases, or the approach is not comprehensive and only considers one aspect of blockchain assessment. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and generic blockchain assessment approach to aid with better decision-making regarding blockchain within organizations. This article aims at addressing this need by creating a blockchain assessment framework to aids with deciding whether it is worthwhile investing more time, effort, and money into blockchain exploration. The context of the study is set in the introduction, this is then followed by a brief explanation of the blockchain technology. Thereafter, the blockchain assessment framework is presented, followed by a brief explanation of the demonstration and validation of the framework using a case study and expert analysis. The framework is most valuable during the initial stages of blockchain exploration and creates momentum for further blockchain exploration in an organization. The study concludes with the limitations and future research recommendations.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, Jan 15, 2012
Simulation modelling has been identified as one of the most powerful techniques available for the... more Simulation modelling has been identified as one of the most powerful techniques available for the analysis and design of complex manufacturing systems. A number of manufacturing simulators have been designed in an effort to make it easier to use the simulation approach in the manufacturing environment. This paper will attempt to describe and~valuate the characteristics of some of the available manufacturing simulators as well as possible ways to alleviate some of the inherent disadvantages. This paper will also report on the preliminary design philosophy and specifications of a manufacturing simulation program generator (FACSIM) presently under development. OPSOHHING Simulasiemodellering is een van die mees kragtige tegnieke beskikbaar vir die analise en ontwerp van komplekse vervaardigingstelsels. In 'n poging om die gebruik van simulasiemodellering in die vervaardigingsomgewing te vergemaklik is 'n aantal vervaardigingsimulators ontwikkel. Hierdie artjkel sal poog om die eienskappe van sommige van die beskikbare vervaard~gingsimulators te bespreek en te evalueer. Tegnieke wat moontlik gebruik kan word om die effekte van die inherente nadele van simulators te verminder sal bespreek J?, word. Die voorlopige ontwerpfilosofie en-spesifikasie van 'n vervaardigingsimulasie programgenerator (FACSIM), wat tans ontwikkel word, sal ook beskryf word.
We propose and evaluate a contractual structuring instrument (in the form of a Framework Research... more We propose and evaluate a contractual structuring instrument (in the form of a Framework Research Agreement) in support of research collaboration partnerships between universities and large industry, specifically for the case of large industry in the South African context. This study includes one large South African originated industry (as the pioneer of concluding Framework Research Agreements with several universities) and multiple South African universities, and stretches over several decades. This study was done within the broader context of the challenges and benefits experienced by both industry and university in the academic engagement sphere of industry-university collaboration. By providing insight from both industry and university perspectives, factors impacting on academic engagement (with specific emphasis on the legislative framework, contractual aspects, institutional research contract practices and institutional risks), are considered and discussed. Recommendations are made for improved industryuniversity collaboration by sharing experiences from the industry and universities on challenges faced, managing the expectations and proposing mechanisms to support constructive research collaboration through a mutually beneficial contractual framework instrument. Significance: • A novel Framework Research Agreement as a contractual instrument was developed and pioneered by the industry partner with several South African universities, to create a transparent framework based on fair contracting and determinable remuneration principles. • This study specifically highlights the need for a contractual instrument, in which the intention is to build a long-term contractual relationship to support industry-university collaboration and academic engagement within the existing South African legislative framework. • It further draws attention to research contract management practices and contractual aspects, which until now have been largely ignored in industry-university collaboration and academic engagement frameworks of this kind. Research contract between industry and South African universities
Operation in a dynamic environment requires companies to constantly adapt their manufacturing sys... more Operation in a dynamic environment requires companies to constantly adapt their manufacturing systems to stay competitive. One approach to manufacturing is the use of reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS). Current production planning approaches cannot model and realize the production-side adaptions available in RMS. In this article a novel planning system for modeling that continuously integrates the key characteristics of RMS in production planning and control (PPC) is presented. First, the challenges for production planning using RMS are defined. A feasible planning system is then presented, based on modeling and specification approaches, followed by a planning method to realize capacity scalability and functionality changes in planning processes. Finally, a prototypical application is outlined and the planning system is evaluated with the help of different production scenarios. The application results demonstrate the feasibility of the planning system as well as the potential improvement of typical key performance indicators in manufacturing.
The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2016
As a decision-making problem, selecting proper machines and equipment plays a key role for mining... more As a decision-making problem, selecting proper machines and equipment plays a key role for mining sites and companies. Many factors affect this decision, and values belonging to these factors can be expressed numerically and/or non-numerically. In order to make the most appropriate decision, engineers must carry out an evaluation process that comprises all criteria that might affect decision-making. To achieve this, multi-criteria decision-making tools are used. As a result of technological developments, coal outputs in longwall mining have risen tremendously over the last decades, and longwall mechanisation has become unavoidable. The significance of powered roof supports in particular increases dayby-day, since the rate of roof support has to be in accordance with the rate of face advance in longwalls.
One of the key challenges engineering managers face is how to enhance the level of performance of... more One of the key challenges engineering managers face is how to enhance the level of performance of their employees. Existing guidelines and tools regarding the implementation of an incentive plan do not cover the primary design considerations sufficiently. This research identifies thirteen primary incentive plan design considerations (PICs), the most important considerations that must be taken into account in the design or development of an incentive plan, through a systematic and structured identification process. The thirteen PICs are a unique amalgamation from influential research papers that deal with incentives and motivation from various disciplines. These considerations can be used by engineering managers, in conjunction with existing guides or toolkits, as an aid during the design, review, or implementation of an incentive plan.
Abstract The increasing amount of production resources to be maintained and efficiency requiremen... more Abstract The increasing amount of production resources to be maintained and efficiency requirements are forcing manufacturing companies to improve production and maintenance effectiveness by a mutual consideration of both functions in an integrated planning process. However, less attention is paid to monitor the performance of manufacturing systems based on key performance indicators to identify the need for measures and adapting plans. Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) are applied to accomplish this task. Therefore, this paper presents an evaluation of existing PMS’s for production and maintenance planning. A new PMS that considers strategic and operational views is presented and validated by an industrial case study.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2022
Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increas... more Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increase operational costs. Leaks, wastages, and misuse are common inefficiencies that necessitate an oversupply of compressed air. It is therefore important to identify where the opportunities for improvement are located. Underground mining equipment can be used to develop a zero-waste compressed air demand profile. This profile can then be simulated for the entire operation to determine a theoretical baseline. Noticeable inefficiencies are then identified by comparing the actual data with the zero-waste baselines. The results of this study showed that the surface operations oversupply compressed air by 15% (10 kg/s of air) per day. This requires an additional 80 MWh of electricity (14.5% of the total) and costs approximately R91 000 per day. The comparison with the zero-waste baselines showed that 7.9 kg/s of air is wasted at the underground levels during drilling periods, highlighting the areas that require mitigation projects to improve the performance while decreasing costs and wastages.
South African journal of higher education, Oct 1, 2021
Like all organisations globally, South African universities were caught off-guard by the impact o... more Like all organisations globally, South African universities were caught off-guard by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To manage its financial and contractual/legal risks when faced with a threat such as a pandemic, an organisation needs integrated insight through the use of available information to assess possible disruptions and to be able to respond appropriately. This study analyses the status of South African universities in respect of their research and innovation offerings, and in particular the nature of their research contracts and their ability to respond to a threat such as COVID-19. Interviews were conducted with senior managers in seven South African universities. Some of the themes that emerged from these interviews were analysed using extracts from the financial management maturity model (FMMM) (Comptroller and Auditor General 2018). It was reassuring to find that the contractual risks can mostly be mitigated. However, the lack of strategic information and lower financial management maturity levels made it difficult for most universities to assess the financial impact of this pandemic and to respond appropriately.
International journal of game-based learning, Dec 22, 2021
Dynamic personalization of learning trajectories that integrate different perspectives and variab... more Dynamic personalization of learning trajectories that integrate different perspectives and variable scenarios is a viable way to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of training and education. Serious games offer a designated platform for this by aggregating learner interactions and using these to dynamically configure, adjust, and tailor the game to individuals and contexts. An architecture is presented to support the creation of serious games for specific scenarios in a faster, more effective, and efficient manner. Following a research-by-design approach, the architecture is simultaneously developed and applied in case studies, with the experiences infused as enhancements for subsequent design iterations.
Healthcare innovation has made progressive strides. Innovative solutions now tend to incorporate ... more Healthcare innovation has made progressive strides. Innovative solutions now tend to incorporate device integration, data collection and data analysis linked across a diverse range of actors building platform-centric healthcare ecosystems. The interconnectedness and inter-disciplinarity of the ecosystems bring with it a number of vital issues around how to strategically manage such a complex system. This paper highlights the importance of innovation intermediaries particularly in a platform-centric ecosystem such as the healthcare industry. It serves as a reminder of why it is important for healthcare technologists to consider proactive ways to contribute to the innovation ecosystem by creating devices with the platform perspective in mind.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, Nov 1, 2016
This paper produces a preliminary version of a strategic framework for managing employee flourish... more This paper produces a preliminary version of a strategic framework for managing employee flourishing. 'Flourishing', a term from positive psychology, describes the experience of 'the good life'. Providing this experience benefits employees. It also motivates them to sustain the enterprise that provides it. This positions employee flourishing as a strategy for long-term enterprise performance, a key concern of industrial engineering. The framework incorporates a systems approach and literature from a variety of bodies of knowledge, including organisational behaviour and human resource management. The framework includes a process, tools, and elements that assist enterprises to manage employee flourishing. OPSOMMING Hierdie artikel skep 'n voorlopige weergawe van 'n strategiese raamwerk vir die bestuur van werknemerflorering. Florering (Eng. 'flourishing'), is 'n begrip uit die positiewe sielkunde wat ervaring van 'die goeie lewe' omskryf. Florering in die werksplek is tot voordeel van beide werknemers en werkgewers. Werknemers word gemotiveer om die onderneming te onderhou en uit te bou. Op hierdie manier is 'werknemerflorering' 'n strategie vir die onderneming se langtermyn prestasie, ʼn sleutel aspek vir bedryfsingenieurwese. Die raamwerk omvat 'n stelselbenadering en inkorporeer literatuur uit verskeie kennisgebiede, insluitende organisatoriese gedrag, en menslike hulpbronbestuur. 'n Proses word daar gestel wat ondernemings van die nodige toerusting en kennis vir die bestuur van werknemerflorering te voorsien..
Manufacturing companies must operate in a dynamic environment. Consequently, companies constantly... more Manufacturing companies must operate in a dynamic environment. Consequently, companies constantly have to adapt their manufacturing systems to stay competitive. One approach to ensure the success of manufacturing companies is to use reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS). Current production planning methods cannot quickly realize the production-side adaptions available in RMS and are limited in flexibility. A novel production planning method to optimize the potential of RMS is presented in this paper. First, the key characteristics and planning requirements for an RMS are defined. A feasible configuration is then determined, using a planning method based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP) to realize capacity scalability and functionality changes within planning processes. Finally, an application scenario to validate the method is outlined.
The aim of this chapter is to illustrate how intellectual capital (IC) may be visualised and moni... more The aim of this chapter is to illustrate how intellectual capital (IC) may be visualised and monitored in the university context, using the technology transfer office (TTO) as a unit of observation. The TTO is responsible, in many cases, for supporting academic entrepreneurship. Research has shown that access to IC influences the efficiency of the TTO in performing its functions. Moving from this, the perceived access a TTO has to university IC can be measured across the tripartite classification of IC: human capital (5 indicators), structural capital (13 indicators) and relational capital (6 indicators). These data are then used to create a visual representation of the access that each TTO perceives to have to university IC and to compare it to their overall efficiency. The visual representation allows management at both university and TTO level, to have a clearer understanding of the performance of the TTO and how IC may be leveraged to improve it. These interventions will improve the performance of the TTO and increase success for academic entrepreneurship. This in turn, will aid the university in its pursuit of entrepreneurialism, competitiveness and sustainability.
This article outlines the research and development of a blockchain assessment framework which ena... more This article outlines the research and development of a blockchain assessment framework which enables the assessment of the technical suitability, high-level design, adoption approach, economic feasibility, and business value potential of a blockchain solution with a particular organization for a specific process. The framework is a comprehensive, high-level, and generic assessment approach that enables better decision-making regarding blockchain exploration. Blockchain is a novel technology with the potential to disrupt several industries through its possession of many desirable functional characteristics, including, but not limited to, immutability, transparency, decentralization, and secure. Cryptocurrencies and these desirable characteristics have created hype around blockchain, consequently leading to blockchain projects with minimal understanding of what the technology is capable of and beneficial for, resulting in excessively high failure rates. Attempts have been made by researchers to reduce these high failure rates by creating a better understanding of blockchain, as well as creating assessment approaches. However, these approaches tend to apply to specific narrow use cases, or the approach is not comprehensive and only considers one aspect of blockchain assessment. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and generic blockchain assessment approach to aid with better decision-making regarding blockchain within organizations. This article aims at addressing this need by creating a blockchain assessment framework to aids with deciding whether it is worthwhile investing more time, effort, and money into blockchain exploration. The context of the study is set in the introduction, this is then followed by a brief explanation of the blockchain technology. Thereafter, the blockchain assessment framework is presented, followed by a brief explanation of the demonstration and validation of the framework using a case study and expert analysis. The framework is most valuable during the initial stages of blockchain exploration and creates momentum for further blockchain exploration in an organization. The study concludes with the limitations and future research recommendations.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, Jan 15, 2012
Simulation modelling has been identified as one of the most powerful techniques available for the... more Simulation modelling has been identified as one of the most powerful techniques available for the analysis and design of complex manufacturing systems. A number of manufacturing simulators have been designed in an effort to make it easier to use the simulation approach in the manufacturing environment. This paper will attempt to describe and~valuate the characteristics of some of the available manufacturing simulators as well as possible ways to alleviate some of the inherent disadvantages. This paper will also report on the preliminary design philosophy and specifications of a manufacturing simulation program generator (FACSIM) presently under development. OPSOHHING Simulasiemodellering is een van die mees kragtige tegnieke beskikbaar vir die analise en ontwerp van komplekse vervaardigingstelsels. In 'n poging om die gebruik van simulasiemodellering in die vervaardigingsomgewing te vergemaklik is 'n aantal vervaardigingsimulators ontwikkel. Hierdie artjkel sal poog om die eienskappe van sommige van die beskikbare vervaard~gingsimulators te bespreek en te evalueer. Tegnieke wat moontlik gebruik kan word om die effekte van die inherente nadele van simulators te verminder sal bespreek J?, word. Die voorlopige ontwerpfilosofie en-spesifikasie van 'n vervaardigingsimulasie programgenerator (FACSIM), wat tans ontwikkel word, sal ook beskryf word.
We propose and evaluate a contractual structuring instrument (in the form of a Framework Research... more We propose and evaluate a contractual structuring instrument (in the form of a Framework Research Agreement) in support of research collaboration partnerships between universities and large industry, specifically for the case of large industry in the South African context. This study includes one large South African originated industry (as the pioneer of concluding Framework Research Agreements with several universities) and multiple South African universities, and stretches over several decades. This study was done within the broader context of the challenges and benefits experienced by both industry and university in the academic engagement sphere of industry-university collaboration. By providing insight from both industry and university perspectives, factors impacting on academic engagement (with specific emphasis on the legislative framework, contractual aspects, institutional research contract practices and institutional risks), are considered and discussed. Recommendations are made for improved industryuniversity collaboration by sharing experiences from the industry and universities on challenges faced, managing the expectations and proposing mechanisms to support constructive research collaboration through a mutually beneficial contractual framework instrument. Significance: • A novel Framework Research Agreement as a contractual instrument was developed and pioneered by the industry partner with several South African universities, to create a transparent framework based on fair contracting and determinable remuneration principles. • This study specifically highlights the need for a contractual instrument, in which the intention is to build a long-term contractual relationship to support industry-university collaboration and academic engagement within the existing South African legislative framework. • It further draws attention to research contract management practices and contractual aspects, which until now have been largely ignored in industry-university collaboration and academic engagement frameworks of this kind. Research contract between industry and South African universities
Operation in a dynamic environment requires companies to constantly adapt their manufacturing sys... more Operation in a dynamic environment requires companies to constantly adapt their manufacturing systems to stay competitive. One approach to manufacturing is the use of reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS). Current production planning approaches cannot model and realize the production-side adaptions available in RMS. In this article a novel planning system for modeling that continuously integrates the key characteristics of RMS in production planning and control (PPC) is presented. First, the challenges for production planning using RMS are defined. A feasible planning system is then presented, based on modeling and specification approaches, followed by a planning method to realize capacity scalability and functionality changes in planning processes. Finally, a prototypical application is outlined and the planning system is evaluated with the help of different production scenarios. The application results demonstrate the feasibility of the planning system as well as the potential improvement of typical key performance indicators in manufacturing.
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